Today on Life Stories, Blake Baumann and Pickens Calhoun share the story behind their unique partnership serving teens and young adults on the autism spectrum.

Blake, author of Autism Launch Plan, has spent years helping families navigate the challenges of neurodiversity with practical tools and compassionate coaching.

Pickens, after experiencing the tragic loss of his brother, left a successful career in tax consulting to join Blake’s mission and dedicate his life to this work.

Together, they walk alongside young people to build confidence, independence, and real-life skills through deeply personalized coaching. Their story is one of faith, purpose, and the belief that every individual has strengths waiting to be discovered.

Key Points:

*How Blake’s journey into autism coaching began and the heart behind The Autism Blueprint
*Pickens’s transition from corporate consulting to purpose-driven work after personal loss
*The remarkable timing that brought Blake and Pickens together as partners
*What individualized coaching looks like for autistic teens and young adults
*Focus areas like communication, time management, identity, and career readiness
*Real success stories of growth, independence, and renewed hope for families
*Practical encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed or unsure where to turn
*The shared vision Blake and Pickens have for expanding this life-changing work

To find out more about this incredible coaching program, visit https://www.aia-launch.com/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

In this episode of Life Stories, Shara talks with Colin Corby, creator of The Digital Detox Coach, about how our always-on digital world is quietly impacting our health, focus, and relationships. Colin shares his personal journey from tech-driven burnout to endurance athlete, and how that experience led him to help people create a healthier, more balanced relationship with technology.

You’ll hear why digital detox isn’t about giving up your phone, but about taking back control of your time, energy, and attention — and how small changes can lead to big improvements in wellbeing.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

*What a digital detox really means and how simple it can be
*How screen time affects sleep, stress, and focus
*Why human connection matters more than ever
*What it means to become a “business athlete”
*How to start creating healthier tech habits without overwhelm

This conversation is encouraging, practical, and eye-opening for anyone who feels pulled in too many directions by their devices.

To find out more about Colin's work, visit thedigitaldetoxcoach.com

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

In this powerful and tender conversation, Beth shares how her journey as a single mom began just one week after her son was born when she left an abusive relationship and started over on her own. Years later, after moving to East Texas and putting down roots in her church and community, Beth found a way to use her background in pastry arts and her heart for ministry to serve other single moms in a deeply meaningful way.

Through her ministry Single, Not Solo, Beth provides personalized birthday cakes to children of single moms, not just to celebrate the kids, but to remind the moms that they are seen, supported, and not alone. What began as a simple act of baking for families she knew has grown into a sponsored ministry where every cake is covered through generosity, prayer, and faith. Along the way, Beth shares moving stories of families she’s served, how God continues to provide for her own family, and why caring for the mom is just as important as celebrating the child.

To connect with Beth, visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585761523330 or reach out to her at [email protected].

In this milestone 200th episode, Shara sits down with podcaster, founder, and pro-aging advocate Ande Lyons for a deeply affirming and energizing conversation about purpose, visibility, and staying engaged at every stage of life.

In this episode, we talk about:

*Why ageism is wasting generations of talent
*What “pro-aging” really means—and why anti-aging messaging is harmful, especially for women
*Why retirement has been called a global epidemic
*The importance of staying curious, connected, and engaged after 65
*The power of intergenerational relationships
*Ande’s journey through entrepreneurship, startup mentoring, and podcasting
*Why podcasting is one of the most powerful tools for connection, purpose, and community
*How Ande built the New England Podcasters Group—and why in-person community still matters


This episode is a reminder that life doesn’t end at a certain age—it expands, and the world still needs what only you can bring.

To connect with Ande, visit dontbecagedbyyourage.com

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Hilary Powers shares her extraordinary journey, from childhood fame as the voice of Sally Brown in Peanuts to addiction, trauma, recovery, and a life devoted to helping others heal.

Hilary opens up about growing up in an abusive and chaotic home, how early trauma shaped her identity, and why success on the outside doesn’t always reflect what’s happening within. She explains how addiction became a way to soothe pain she didn’t yet understand—and how recovery taught her that healing is about far more than just putting substances down.

Together, we talk about:

• Childhood trauma and the hidden cost of early success

• Addiction as a mind, body, and soul dis-ease

• The “triangle of trauma” and how it shapes behavior

• Why people-pleasing, fear, and perfectionism are survival responses

• How recovery begins with stabilization, not self-improvement

• The power of pausing, grounding, and reconnecting with the senses

• Turning anxiety into wonder and fear into curiosity

• Using your scars—not your success—as your greatest asset

• Why joy is deeper and more lasting than happiness

• How reinvention is possible at any stage of life

Hilary also shares practical tools anyone can use when they feel overwhelmed, stuck, or trapped in fight-or-flight and reminds us that healing doesn’t happen all at once, but one small, intentional step at a time.

To connect with Hilary, visit https://www.hilarymombergerpowers.com/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

In this episode, Shara sits down with Dana DiPrima, founder of the For Farmers Movement and host of One Bite Is Everything, to talk about why small farmers matter, how a personal journey turned into a national movement, and simple ways anyone can stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who grow our food.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How Dana went from “never wanting to be a farmer” to becoming a leading advocate for small farms

• Why small farmers are often invisible — and what it means to truly see them

• The For Farmers grant program and real stories of impact across the country

• Simple, everyday ways listeners can support local farmers and food systems

• Why food choices connect to health, community, the environment, and the economy

Connect with Dana & For Farmers:

• Website: forfarmersmovement.com

• Instagram: @xoxofarmgirl

• Podcast: One Bite Is Everything

In this episode of Life Stories, host Shara Goswick talks with Dan McQueen, a two-time traumatic brain injury survivor and keynote speaker. Dan shares how a sudden brain hemorrhage in London in 2014 changed his life forever and how he rebuilt it through grit, perspective, and a commitment to being better than yesterday.
From waking up from a coma unable to walk, talk, or smile, to setting a bold goal of skiing again after ten years, Dan’s story is a powerful reminder that setbacks don’t define us. Our response does.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:
*Dan’s life before his injury and the moment everything changed in London
*Waking from a coma and relearning the basics of life
*The mindset shift that helped him turn rehab into growth
*Learning to walk again in busy Tooting Broadway
*Setting big goals, like skiing again, through small wins
*His mantra Play Loose, Look Tight and what it means for everyday life
*Why progress matters more than perfection
To find out more about Dan and his work, visit https://www.macqueendan.com/
Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

Today's update episode includes to incredible former guests who continue to help others in unique and powerful ways.

My first guest is Jeaneen Tang, author, speech-language pathologist, and early childhood expert, for a warm and honest conversation about life, balance, and the exciting work she’s doing behind the scenes. She shares the process of building her new online course for parents, educators, and speech therapy assistants, and how coaching has helped her grow personally and professionally. We also talk about the evolution of her book, her hopes for future speaking opportunities, and the joy of seeing children find their voice through speech therapy.

You can find out more about Jeaneen's work at https://www.playdumbandsabotage.com/

My next guest is Jessica Clancy. Jessica shares major updates since her last appearance, everything from entering and winning book competitions to actively pursuing the possibility of turning her story into a feature film. She talks about learning the media world, partnering with wellness brands, and creating toolkits to support teachers and underserved communities. Jessica also opens up about her passion for helping people prevent kidney disease, using her platform to educate others, and expanding her reach through speaking, travel, and growing her online presence.

You can find out more about Jessica and her work at loveiskindwellness.com.

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

Hospital stays can be overwhelming, confusing, and at times unsafe—and most families don’t know what to look for or how to speak up. In this episode, Dr. Julie Siemers, a nurse, educator, and patient safety expert with more than 40 years of experience, shares the real risks inside hospitals and the practical steps every patient and family member can take to stay safe. Her stories are powerful, her advice is clear, and her mission is to help families advocate with confidence before harm occurs.

In This Episode, We Cover:

*Why preventable medical harm is so common—and the true statistics Julie discovered while researching patient safety.
*The number one hidden cause of hospital errors: communication breakdown.
*What patients should do before entering a hospital, including how to research safety grades.
*How to speak up respectfully when something doesn’t seem right, even if you’re afraid of being dismissed.
*The most important questions to ask at nurse shift change.
*How to properly prepare aging parents or vulnerable loved ones for a hospital stay.
*What to do if you feel brushed off by medical staff and how to use the chain of command.
*Real stories from Julie’s career that reveal how harm happens—and how it can be prevented.
*A look at Julie’s book, her upcoming patient safety app, and her nonprofit work to educate families.


To find out more about Julie and her work, visit https://drjuliesiemers.com/.

To find the health grade of the hospitals in your area, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org

#podcast #podcasting #podmatch #sharagoswick #lifestoriespodcast #lifestories #conversation #interview #healthcare #hospital #nursing #doctor #patientsafety #care #communication #peoplehelpingpeople Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

In this episode, I sit down with Debbie Weiss, best-selling author, speaker, and host of the Maybe I Can podcast, to talk about what it really looks like to rewrite your story after decades of caregiving, loss, and self-sacrifice.

Debbie opens up about becoming a caregiver at just 17 years old, navigating her father’s stroke, raising a son with multiple diagnoses, supporting a husband through mental and physical illness, and ultimately facing widowhood. For years, she believed her circumstances defined her… until an unexpected trip with friends at age 50 sparked an aha moment that changed everything.

In this conversation, Debbie shares how she traded a lifetime of “why me?” thinking for a mindset of ownership, courage, and small, sustainable steps. She walks us through the mindset shift that helped her lose 90 pounds, write two books, appear on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and launch her powerful new life-approach, The Sprinkle Effect™.

If you’ve ever put yourself last, felt stuck in survival mode, or wondered whether it’s “too late” to chase a dream… you need this episode. Debbie’s message is filled with hope, honesty, humor, and practical wisdom for every woman ready to reclaim her joy.

In This Episode We Cover:*How Debbie spent 40 years in caregiving roles and what it cost her
*The Bermuda trip that sparked her mindset awakening
*What “victim mentality” looked like in real life — and how she recognized it
*Why small changes (“sprinkles”) matter more than big leaps
*Her 3.5-year journey to losing 90 pounds and what actually worked
*What it felt like to speak publicly for the first time
*How she ended up writing a memoir and landing on The Kelly Clarkson Show
*The importance of saying no and setting boundaries
*How The Sprinkle Effect and Workbook help women change their lives one small step at a time

Connect with Debbie Weiss: https://www.debbierweiss.com/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683